Russia in Trouble this Year?

[Eddie Teach]

Lotta stretching there. New Yorkers going without electricity for a while hardly makes for a bad year for the country. And the really bad coup in Iran was much later.

[Ed Anger]

rolling thunder = dead gooks. POSITIVE.

[Jacob]

You're right.  Knowing you, you're fruity enough to buy them online straight from the homeland, made from authentic endangered animal flesh.

You're over thinking it. There are plenty of stores selling red envelopes. No need to search Wahlgreen or buying them online. I just go to one of the many stores or malls that sell them.

That said, I don't have many friends or family with kids in the right age range, so I'm not paying out red envelope money... yet.

[Ideologue]

WTF is the significance of a red envelope?

[Valmy]

WTF is the significance of a red envelope?

Red is good luck for the new year and it has money in it usually.  I think that is about it right Jake?

[CountDeMoney]

WTF is the significance of a red envelope?

It's stuffed with powered rhinoceros horn and a shark fin.

[Jacob]

WTF is the significance of a red envelope?

On special occasions - the Lunar New Year, Birthdays, Weddings - older relatives/guests give red envelopes containing cash to younger relatives/the people being celebrated.

It's basically a formalized way for grandpa to hand out the change in his pockets to the grand kids. I expect you to approve, as it's a transfer of wealth from older, richer people to younger, less affluent ones.

[Valmy]

Businesses often give out red envelopes with bonuses for their employees on Chinese New Year as well...or  so I hear.

[Jacob]

Businesses often give out red envelopes with bonuses for their employees on Chinese New Year as well...or  so I hear.

I wouldn't be surprised, but I've never worked in an environment like that.

[CountDeMoney]

Businesses often give out red envelopes with bonuses for their employees on Chinese New Year as well...or  so I hear.

My pink slip wasn't even pink.   

[Ideologue]

WTF is the significance of a red envelope?

On special occasions - the Lunar New Year, Birthdays, Weddings - older relatives/guests give red envelopes containing cash to younger relatives/the people being celebrated.

It's basically a formalized way for grandpa to hand out the change in his pockets to the grand kids. I expect you to approve, as it's a transfer of wealth from older, richer people to younger, less affluent ones.

They do it out of a sense of noblesse oblige.  I only approve when they are forced by the power of the state.

[crazy canuck]

Lotta stretching there. New Yorkers going without electricity for a while hardly makes for a bad year for the country. And the really bad coup in Iran was much later.

You are thinking of the wrong coup.

The Americans really screwed up with the first one, which ultimately led to the second one.

Have a look at this book which sets it all out fairly well.

http://www.amazon.com/All-Shahs-Men-American-Middle/dp/047018549X

[Viking]

Pretty much all years in history have been bad for Russia. The entire Chinese zodiac is bad for Russia.

[Eddie Teach]

The Americans really screwed up with the first one, which ultimately led to the second one.

I hardly think the Islamic revolution was inevitable in 1954. As such, it's hardly evident that that revolution made 1953 a "bad year" for America. Even if it had been inevitable, Iran is still a pretty minor concern in the grand scheme of things. The Korean War ended, Stalin died, a vaccine for polio was found, Ian Fleming published first Bond movie, double helix published on, etc.

[Razgovory]

WTF is the significance of a red envelope?

Red is good luck for the new year and it has money in it usually.  I think that is about it right Jake?

What is the one where they light fake money on fire?